- The Importance of Strategic Advantage
How does a company compete in the long run? I'm not talking about day to day stuff--but what sets your company apart, and gives it a place in the marketplace that allows it to survive, and hopefully, thrive? - Gates and Microsoft Part i
One of the big news items in the last year was Bill Gates announcing that he was leaving Microsoft. It wasn't really an earth shattering announcement; he is intending to transition out of a direct operational role with the company over a two year period, and will remain Chairman of the Board after the transition. - Search Engine Optimization Part II
In part I of this article, we introduced you to the reasons why SEO is important. Now let's get down to the details of what to do, and not to do. - Software and Technology Customer Service Part I
An under-rated competency, which should be considered more important to software and technology companies, is customer service. I guess that's only natural; tech companies are very focused on gaining strategic advantage via technological advances and product differentiation. - Is Advertising the Future of Software Revenue? Part II
In Part I of this article, we discussed in general terms the advertising-supported software business model, and looked at several "hyped" technologies that were expected to have lasting impact. Let's now look at the most famous hype of all: - Gates and Microsoft Part II
In Part I of this article, we discussed Bill Gates and his impact on the Microsoft organization. Now let's move on to what might happen after he is gone. - Search Engine Optimization Part I
However, there is one online marketing method that nearly EVERYONE should be pursuing. In my consulting practice at PJM Consulting, I find that too many technology companies are not actively utilizing this marketing method, and it's very surprising to me. I'm referring to Search Engine Optimization (SEO). - Email Deliverability
I want to discuss a topic that is important to nearly every company today. If you use the Internet at all for communications, SPAM is a topic that affects you--from one end or the other. - Flattening of the Growth Curve Part I
In every company's history there comes a time (or two or three or four times!) when your momentum slows, and the sales curve begins to flatten. This can be one of the most trying and frustrating times for software and technology companies. - Google PageRank Calculator Tool
Here's another neat little tool on the Web that I've been putting to good use. It's called ThinkBling, and it's a Google PageRank calculator. - Hiring and Retaining Employees Part I
There is probably nothing more important to a high tech company's long-term success, than hiring and retaining employees. - Free Search Engine Optimization Tools
As I run across tools and websites that I find particularly useful for software and high tech companies, I like to pass them along. - The Rise and Fall of Novell
Once again one of the great brand names of High Tech has been prominently in the news, for disconcerting reasons (if you're a fan or shareholder, anyway). This time it's Novell, Inc. A while back Novell announced that they are to lay off 1000 people, roughly 20% of their workforce. - Shooting Stars or Industry Stalwarts--What Makes a Great High Tech Company?
You've seen them many times. The software company that starts off like a bullet, racing at the high tech equivalent of 0-60 mph in 4 seconds. These companies come out of nowhere, and are an immediate factor in their market. - Software and Technology Customer Service Part II
In part I of this article, we examined the effects of management ignoring customer service to focus on "sexier" parts of the business, and introduced a couple of the negative things that can happen as a result. Let's continue on: - Promoting your content through RSS feeds
To many of you, this article will be preaching to the choir. In fact, quite a few people already read these articles via an RSS feed in a newsreader, browser, or on their Google, Yahoo or MSN personalized homepage. - Software Product Development--the Unsolved Mystery of High Tech Part II
We've covered a lot of what goes wrong in the software development process in Part I. Let's continue that discussion, and look for some answers: - Hiring and Retaining Employees Part II
In Part I of this article, we covered 4 key points to proper hiring and retention. Now we'll look at the second 4. - Sales & Marketing-Is a direct or indirect approach best? Part i
There are so many different options within the direct vs. indirect argument. - High Tech Product Promotion Part II
In Part I of this article we covered an introduction to High Tech Product Promotion. Now we'll move on to A detailed look, including five key factors for success. - Favoritism in the Workplace--How to Avoid Even the Perception of It
I'm going to address a topic that isn't often discussed formally by top management within a business, certainly not out in the open. It's a major topic in HR circles, I'm sure. It's also a major topic, in hushed tones, around the water cooler and during lunch among friends. - High Tech Product Promotion Part I
I've discussed many topics related to High Technology companies over the last several months. One fundamental subject I haven't explored in detail is the promotion of High Tech products. - Should You License Your Technology?
So when should you license your technology to other companies? This can be a complicated question, since I always say "no one sells your product like you do." - Software and High Tech Product Planning
There are many ways to skin a cat, so the saying goes. Planning high technology software and hardware products seems to fit in the same category. - Press Relations Best Practices
Among the potential ingredients for the marketing mix of a high tech company, Press Relations is high on my list. There's a good reason for it. - Layoffs and Bureaucracy
A while back Id been reading the stories on the last major layoff at HP, and it really struck a nerve. HP announced that week that they are going to reduce their workforce by 14,500 people over the next 18 months. - Direct Email--Good or Evil?
One of the most misunderstood tools in the Marketer's Bag of Tricks is direct email. There's good reason for it, of course. Everyone hates SPAM! I expect that even the most evil, notorious spammers of the world have SPAM filters on their personal email accounts. - Software Product Development--the Unsolved Mystery of High Tech Part I
One of the most puzzling things in high technology, especially for executives on the business side of things, is the software development process. It's the high tech equivalent to the "Black Hole" phenomenon made famous in Astronomy. Endless resources can be poured into a software development project, yet there never seems to be an end in sight. - Strategic Partnerships
Forming Partnerships, or Strategic Alliances, is one of the key elements that make up the business development function in technology companies. I believe that alliances are underutilized, in many ways. Conceived and executed properly, alliances can greatly extend the partner companies reach in the marketplace. - Distribution Channel Conflict
As I've been reading the trade magazines recently, I've paid particular attention to the channel magazines. A big story for several months has been the change in leadership at HP, since Mark Hurd took over as CEO from Carly Fiorina. What does this have to do with channel conflict? - Automated Information Tracking on the Internet
I wanted to make you aware of another cool Web-based, free resource that I've become aware of and have started using. - Is Advertising the Future of Software Revenue? Part I
We have a word for this overstatement of a trend: "hype". So, is traditional software revenue model of licensing dead? Will all software eventually be "given away" to the end user, and supported solely by advertising revenue? - Strategic Fundraising for Startup Companies Part III
Lastly, there's the classic Venture-funded company, the one with "Home Run" potential. These are the companies that VCs are out seeking to fund. - Strategic Fundraising for Startup Companies Part II
This example makes up the great majority of software companies worldwide. There are many, many solidly profitable software businesses that will never be on the radar screen of the investor community. - Strategic Fundraising for Startup Companies Part I
Almost every company goes through it, except for the fortunate few. Some people have gone through it multiple times. While never easy, raising money for the second or third time (assuming success the first time!) is a picnic, compared to the first time. - BIG S, little m - The Relative Roles of Sales & Marketing
Don't worry; this isn't going to be an article about Sado-Masochism! Well, come to think of it, that term may apply to what some founders and senior managers in startups are doing to themselves and their companies. What I'm referring to is the VP who gets hired to manage both the Sales and Marketing functions. - Apple Computer is on Top--Will They Stay On Top?
One of my favorite topics in Corporate & Marketing Strategy is Apple Computer. This is a company that apparently is even more hardy than felines--they seem to have already used up more than 9 lives.
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